Drive axle



Jan. 15, 1946.' L R. BUCKENDALE 2,392,832

DRIVE AXLE Filed Jan. 6, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lawrence R. uC/fena'a/e Jem.` 15, 1946. IR, 'BUCKENDALE DRIVE AXLE Filed Jan. y6; 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan 1.5, 1946-v I L. R. BUCKENDALE 2,392,832

DRIVE AXLE Filed Jan. 6, .1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 15, 1946 DRIVE AXLE Lawrence R. Buckendale, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The Tmken-Detroit Axle Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Ohio Application January 6, 1943, Serial No. 471,494

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to drive axles, particularly drive axles for four and six wheel drive vehicles, although it is not limited to such use.

The drive axles heretofore pro-posed for use in four and six wheel drive vehicles have been Vso designed and constructed that the front drive axle is of totally dissimilar design than the rear drive axle, with the result that it is impossible to use any of the front drive axle parts in the rear axle` or to employ any of the rear axle parts in the front axle, with the possible exception of the wheels. This not only materially adds to the cost of manufacture, but also makes it necessary for servicing organizations to stock a complete line of parts for each axle. This lack of interchangeability of parts of the front and rear axles heretofore proposed h'as also led to serious diiculties in the iield, by keeping trucks out of service until the proper front or rear axle replacement part had been obtained, even though a complete stock og parts for the other axle may have been availa le.

I have found that by providing an axle housing having a bowl portion providing front and rear bolting faces, each designed to interchangeably v support a carrier or a bowl cover, and providing the housing with' end bolting faces spaced apart a predetermined distance, providing spring seats of special form to properly center and anchor either front or rear springs; and providing front steering drive end assemblies made up of auxiliay housings adapted to be secured to the housing end bolting faces, and a pair of spindle assemblies mounted for steering movement on the auxiliary housings, each carrying a hub and wheel assembly, and providing rear drive end assemblies each made up of a spindle adapted for direct bolting to the housing end bolting faces and carrying a hub and front wheel assembly, it is possible. by properly proportioning the parts, to successfully utilize the axle housing for either a front or rear axle by bolting a carrier to one of the bowl portion bolting faces and bolting the appropriate end assemblies to the end bolting faces of the housing.

I have also discovered that by providing the steering drive end assemblies just described with inverted Elliot trunnion mountings of novel form,

end-for-end, the track may be varied. The trunnion and spindle design just described also makes it possible to employ interchangeable front and rear brake drums and brake mechanisms, and the hub and spindle also accommodate bearing assemblies that are fully interchangeable front and rear.

It is accordingly the major object of the invention to 'provide novel front and rear drive axles which' are so designed that many of the parts of the front axle are fully interchangeable with corresponding parts of the rear axle, thereby simplifying and materially reducing the cost of manufacture, and greatly facilitating servicing of four and six wheel drive vehicles.

A further important object is to provide a novel trunnion. mounting for an inverted Elliott type steering drive spindle, embodying trunnion pins rigidly carried by the spindle in such manner as to adequately take the load in shear in plain bearings in th'e axle housing, and yet the pins are readily detachable to permit disassembly of the spindle from the housing.

A further object is to provide a novel axle housing embodying spring pad assemblies which are so designed as to interchangeably support either front or rear springs, with the respective springs spaced diiferent distances from the centerline of the axle.

Another object is to provide a novel wheel hub which may be installed in one position on the .spindle to afford one value of wheel tracking and may be installed in another relationship to the spindle to give a diiferent tracking Further subordinate objects are to provide an improved steering drive axle stop assembly; novel grease slinger assemblies for preventing ingress of lubricant to the brake drum; a novel trunnion bearing assembly; an improved guard device for protecting the sealing boots of steering driveaxles; and to provide further axle improvements and refinements to be hereinafter pointed out.

Further objects will become apparent as the specication proceeds in conjunction with' the annexed drawings, and from the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a vehicle chassis embodying the novel front and rear drive -axles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a topplanviewof the chassis and axle construction illustrated in Figure I1, the transmission transfer case Aand springs being omitted to simplify the disclosure;

Figure 3 isa vertical sectional view through' the left-hand end of thefront axle takenalong the line 3 3 of Figure 2', parts of the structure being shown in elevation to simplify the disclosure;

Figure 4 is a fragmental side elevational view of the front axle shown in Figures l and 2 as it appears when viewed from a point just behind the axle, with the gear carrier and spring removed,'the bevel ring gear being illustrated in phantom lines;

Figure 5 is a: fragmental sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure e, and additionally illustrates the front spring in place on the spring pad and the anchoring clips or lil-bolts;

Figure 6 is a fragmental top plan view of the structure illustrated in Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a fragmentai top plan viewillustrating the manner in which the stop screw on the steering arm cooperates with the stop bracket on the front axle housing;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through..`

one of the ends of the rear axle of the invention, taken substantially o'nf'the line 8--8 of Figure 2, the tires being omitted to' simplify the disclosure;

Figure` 9 is a view similar to- Figure 4, butl illustratesxtheleft-hand. endV of the rear-axle; and,

Figurello is Va; top planl fragmentallview of the spring pad structure shown in Figure 9, and additionally shows the rear spring in place on the' spring' pad, and the anchoring clips.

With `continued reference: to the drawings, in which` like reference characters have beenemployed to designate-'like parte throughoutthe several views thereof, the invehtion'has'beerr illustratadas embodied'in a four wheel drive vehicle having lorigitudinalv chassis frame membersv I', to which front and rear springslland l2', respectiv'ey, arev shackled" in conventional manner.

A conventional selective speed transmission :i4 derives power from thevehicleengine in well known manner andtransmits 'iti through aicoupling l to a transfer case IG; Thetransfer Vcase may lge-of any suitable design and preferably includes a low ratio anda h igli ratio, controlled by a shifter rod l1, for transmitting powertoan outputgshaft assembly lli, which extends'through opposite wallsof ,the case andcarriesuniversal joints i9 "andf f, which are connected to propeller shafts 22 Vand 23, respectively.l

The structure just described Vismore or less conventional in present day four-wheelv drive vehicles, but; as previously indicated, propeller shafts v22 and 123 areA usuallycoupled to front and rear drive axlesv of-t'otally different designs, in which substantially none of the parts of the rear axle correspond to, orare interchangeable with, any'parts' of thefront axle.

I 'have found that by providing a center drive axle housingsection terminating at its ends in bolting faces normal to the axis,- -providing novel spring' pads for interchangeably receivingV either the 'front or rear springs .of anvehicle, providing a pair offront drive lend .sections each made up of'a Short'auxili'ary housing adapted to be bolted to the axle bolting. face and each pivotally carrying aiwheel supporting spindle assemblyfor steering movement ion the auxiliary housing; and also providing a pair of rear faxleend sections each made up of a spindleadapted to be rigidly secured tohousing'boltinganges, andhaving a rearwheel carrying hub journalled thereon; and by so designing the bowl'portionsof the 'axle that `a gear carrier assembly may be boltedv to either the front cr rear face thereof, thoroughly practical, low cost front and rearaxles may be built up out of parts, of which many areV- interchangeable with the front and rear axles. AISO',

by providing a novel inverted Elliot type trunnion mounting, in which the required shear is taken in plain bearings, a spindle and hub assembly may be utilized in which it is possible to interchange the brake drum and brake mechanism of the front and rear axles, and to also utilize a hub which may be installed in one position inthe front axle or be reversed and successfully installedin the rear axle.

Taking up the construction of the front axle first, coupled to propeller shaft 23 by means of a universal joint 24, is a gear carrier 25 which is secured to a bolting face 26 of axle bowl portion 29 by cap screws 28, in well known manner. As seen in Figures 2 and 4, bowl portion 29 of axle housing 2l is oiset one side of the centerline of the axle, and while this construction is preferred, as it permits the front propeller shaft and front axle bowl to be disposed to one side of the engine, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedto. axles having offset bowls.

An Yexactly similar bolting face 3| is provided on the front of the axle bowl portion, and a cover 32 is secured thereto in well known manner. As will be point out hereinafter, the samel axle center section may be used in a rear axle, when the gear carrier 25 and cover 32 are reversed, and

diierent housing end sections are used.

Carrier 25! rotatably supports meshing pinion 33 and bevel ring gear 315 in well known manner, and a differential (not shown) divides the power between long and short front axle shafts 35 and 36,1espeotively.

As seen in Figure 2, a pair ofY spring pads or seats 38 and 39 are integrally formed on housing 2l', pad 38 being located closely adjacent the bowl and pad 39 being located' remote therefrom. Since both the Dads are of identical construction exceptthat one is right-handed and theother left-handed, only pad 38 will be described in detail.` Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the pad is preferablyv provided with integral reinforcing webs di, which merge into the side walls oi the housing. As seen in Figure 6, pad ellis provided with two spring centering recesses 'iand e3.

Front axle spring ll has a dowel fill' seating in recess 43,-which accurately centers it with respect totwo pairs of 'U-bolt openings 45 and :lt in the spring pad. The spring is secured in place on the pad by means of a pair of anchoring clips or LJ-bolts M, and nuts 48 in well known manner.

As seen in Figure 5, the upper surface of the spring pad slopes downwardly and rearwardly With' respect to the horizontal plane at an angle X, preferably in the order of 2 30', for the purpose lof producing a similar degree of caster in the front axle trunnions.

A second pair of U-boltropenings lie and 5I are also' provided in spring seats 38 and cooperate with centering recess 42 to properly locate a rear spring on the axle housing whenv it is employed as a rear axle housing, as Will'be hereinafter pointedout.

Axle housing 21 terminates at each end in an enlarged portion providing a bolting face 53, to which flanged auxiliary housingv sections 5t are secured byV stud and nut assemblies 55. Since the ends of the axle are identical in construction, only one of them, namely, the left-hand iront end assembly, will be described in detail. A steering arm stop pad 56 'issecured to the .flange of housing 54 bymeans of aA pair ofstud and nut assemblies. 57, the. studs being threaded into bossesl 58 provided in housing 2l, and also assisting in maintaining the two housing sections in rigidly I assembled relationship.

Referring now to Figure 3, in which the details of the outer section of the front axle are shown on a larger scale, the outer en'd of auxiliary housing 54 is provided with an enlarged ball portion 6|, having a lubricant filler fitting 62. Tightly fitted in aligned bores in ball portion 6| are a pair of bushings 63, in which the novel trunnion assemblies of the invention are journalled in the manner to be now described. The spindle and wheel assembly is carried by a hollow housing 64 of generally cylindrical form, having aligned openings 65 and 66 provided at its top and bottom respectively.

Tightly tted in upper opening 65 is the pilot portion 61 of a cap member 68 having an integral steering arm 69. Cap 68 has a flange 1| seating against a circular Iboss 12 on housing 64 and is detachably secured thereto by cap screws 13. A tie rod arm 10 projects from the rear side of housing 64 and carries a stop screw assembly 10a, which coacts with stop member 56 to limit swingy ing movement of the spindle. f

As seen in Figure 3, cap member 68 is provided with an opening 15 providing a comparatively long bearing surface in which a hardened, high strength trunnion pin 16 is tightly fitted. The friction nt between trunnion pin 16 and the cap is preferably s great as to make it unnecessary to employ a key or other means for fastening it in place. The fitting of the pin in place is preferably carried out by freezing the trunnion pin in dry ice, to cause it to contract, Aand to then insert it in an opening in the cap just large enough to receive it, and the temperatures then permitted to normalize. This effects an extremely rigid connection between the cap and pin. It is to be particularly observed that the trunnion pin extends entirely through the cap, with the resultv that the latter firmly supports the pin throughout its length, and adequately resists the shearing load to which it is subjected in operation, since the stresses are uniformly distributed along the pin and high unit pressures avoided.

The pin is also preferably provided with a tapped opening 11 into which a lubricant fitting of any well known character may be screwed, for supplying lubricant through a longitudina1 passage 18 and a communicating cross-passage 19,

to the working or journalled portion of the pin in bushing 63.

Member 68 is also provided with an accurately formed thrust bearing face 8|, which coacts with a similarly formed face 82 on housing 59. If after assembling the mechanism a clearance exceeding 15 thousandths of an inch is found to exist 4between faces 8| and 82, a number of shims 89 are preferably inserted to bring the clearance or end play within this range.

Snugly fitted within lower opening 66 of housing 64 is the piloting portion 85 of a lower cap 86, which is provided with a flange 81 secured to n a at face 88 on housing 54 by means of a plurality of cap screws l89. A lower trunnion pin 9| is tightly secured in an opening 92 in cap 86 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the upper trunnion, and is also provided with passages 93, 94 and 95, through which lubricant may be fedto the portion of the pin journalled in bushing 63,

Cap 86 is also provided with a recess or counterbore 91 in which the lower race 98 of a roller thrust bearing 99 is seated. Upper race |0| and lower race 98 of the bearing are maintained in assembled .relationship by a retainer |03, and the latter seats against a at bearing face |03 provided on housing 54.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have devised a novel trunnion and spindle mounting which makes it possible to employ a housing 54 of inexpensive material, for instance, cast malleable, such as National No. 6, can be successfully used and yet trunnion pin failures avoided, while thrust bearing 99 takes substantially the entire thrust load, facilitating steering. Also, the use of plain bearings simplifies and reduces the size of the parts to such an extent as to make it entirely feasible to employ an inverted Elliot trunnion assembly of sufficiently .small size tov make possible the use .of a spindle so dimensioned as t0 take a hub interchangeable with the hub of the rear axle.

The space between the spindle housing and stationary housing 54 is sealed by a boot |05, secured at its inner and outer margins in grooves |06 and |01, provided in housings 64 and 54, respectively. The boot illustrated is more-fully disclosed and claimed in United States Letters Patent No'I 2,362,456 issued November 14, 1944, and will not be further described. The invention provides an improved device for guarding against injury to the boot, comprising a member |08 having an annular portion seating against ange 81 of cap 86, and secured under the heads of cap screws 89. Member |08 is also provided with an upwardly curving nger |08', which overlies the lower portion of the boot and adequately protects it against injury.

Secured to a bolting face |09 on spindle hous ing 64, which is preferably so inclined with respect to the trunnion axis as to impart a predetermined degree of camber to the spindle, is the flange A| of a tubular spindle l2, by means of cap screws (not shown). By reason of the large diameter spindle housing 64 and the close coupled relationship of the parts provided by the novel plain bearing trunnion assembly of the invention, spindle l 2 may be given such dimensions that the hub, as well as many of the other parts of the front axle, are interchangeable with corresponding parts of the rear axle, as will hereinafter appear.

The novel interchangeable hub H3 of the invention is journalled on a pair of spaced antifriction roller bearings H4 yand H5, As seen in Figure 3, bearing ||5 has an inner race ||6 seating on a large diameter portion of the spindle, and an outer race ||1 located in the hub and seating against a shoulder H8. Bearing H4 has an inner race ||9 seating on a reduced diameter portion of the spindle, but, as seen in Figure 3, it is considerably thicker than race l 6 of bearing H5, so as to compensate for the difference in spindle diameters and make it possible to utilize an outer race |2I of the same diameter as outer race ||1 of bearing H5. Outer race |2| is carried in a seat in the hub and bears against an internal flange |22. Internal flanges 8 and |22 are preferably spaced the same distance from the ends of the hub, and the bearing seats in the hub are of the same diameter, so as to render the hub reversible upon the spindle for interchangeable installation in the rear axle.

The hub is driven from axle shaft 36 by means of a universal joint |24 located in the ball portion of housing 54 and a stub shaft |25, to which is splined a cap member |26, having a sleeve portion |26 extending inwardly between the wall of spindle ||2 and shaft |25. The latter is retained manner.

on the shaft: by a. split ring |21' sprung into a groove atv the end `of `the shaft" and" seating in a recess in the cap. A compressionv spring |28, reacting` against the inner end of the capsleeve |261 and acting againstzaY seal |29 and a shoulder |3|.on.the shaft, constantly urges shaft |25 inwardly. While the spring is suiciently strong to prevent endwise float of the shaft under'normal conditions, it will yield under suii'iciently high thrusts and permit endwise movement of the shaft assembly to avoid binding and possibly damaging the parts.

apu |26is provided with a piloting flange |32, whichrsnugly ts a piloting surface .|33 in the hub, andthe cap is rigidly secured to the hub by aplurality of studs |34; threaded in the tapped openings |35 in the hub, and nuts |36.

A plurality of exactly similar and matching tappedopenings |31, disposed; the same distance from the hub axis, arelecated in the opposite end'of the hub. Also, a similar internal surface 38, corresponding to surface |33, is provided in thezother end of theV hub, and carries a flanged element |38 cooperating with a Iubricant'seal |4|, the latter being clamped between bearing race lland a shoulder on the spindle, Also fit'- ting into surface |38'is a grease slinger |52.

Hub 3 is also provided with an external bolting. flange |44, oiset from hub centerline |47 unequal distances |45 and |46 from the ends of the hub, for the purpose of adapting it for either front Aor rear axle installations. Wheel piloting surfaces |48 and M9, located either side of flange |44, provide for interchangeable installation of the hub in the rear axle, to establish proper tracking of' theV wheels, as will be hereinafter explained.

Secured to a plurality of circumierentially spaced studs 55| anchored in flange les, by means of nuts |52, are a brake drum l53 and a wheel |54, the latter being accurately piloted on pilot surface |48; As seen in Figure 3', centerline |55 of the wheel rim lies closely adjacent the inner face of the spindle iiange ||I, andthe axis of the trunnion pins, whenV projected, lies slightly insidev the inter-section of the rim centerline |55 with the ground for facilitating steering ln well known manner.

Secured to the spindle flange by means of cap screws |51 is a lubricant receiving member |53 and a'brake foundation plate |59. Member |58 is' loosely telescopcd over member H52 and is adapted to catch lubricant thrown therefrom and conduct it to a plurality of radial passagesr |B| provided in the spindle ange, and deliver it` to afpoint outside of the brake foundation plate, thereby preventing it from 1 reaching the brake shoes;

Foundation plate |59 is provided with a peripheral flange |52 tting loosely into a groove |63 in'the inner edge of the brake drum wall, for excluding extraneous material in well known The brake mechanism comprises an anchor pin |64 seoured'in a boss |55* on the foundation plate and locked against rotation by a nut |65. The anchor pin is provided with an eccentric portion ll on which a brake abutment member |58 is pivoted, the brake shoe actuating lever assembly having portions |69 and secured in place on the anchor pinv either side of abutment member |68. The novel axle assemblies ofthe invention make it possible to use the same brake in both the front and rear axles because in each instance a* spindle is employed Vhaving bolt' holesdisposed the 'same distances fromV the shaft. axis; and the intel-nali arrangement of parts is such that whenthe hub is reversed and installed in the rear axle, it will locate theV brake drum and wheel assemblies in .the proper relationship to present the brake drum for proper coaction with the brake shoes, and also will locate the dual wheels of the rear axle in proper tracking relationship to the iront Wheels.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there is provided a thoroughly practical, efficient and rugged front drive axle of simple design, in which an inverted Elliot type spindle and trunnion assembly is utilized, and in which, by reason of the novel cap and hardened trunnion pin assembly, the requiredshear loads are adequately taken care of by means of plain bearings in the housing ball, and at the same time the constructionl permits extremely close coupling ofthe parts and utilization of a spindle'designed to permit use oi a hub interchangeable Withthe front and rear axles. Also, the novel trunnion assembly makes it possible to use inexpensive material for the ball and auxiliary housings, and yet the construction provides as much or more load carrying capacity, and is just as durable as the more ex pensive constructions embodying tapered roller bearings and expensive alloy housings heretofore proposed.

The rear axle of the invention will now be described, and since many of the parts are of identical size and shape of corresponding parts in the front axle, in order to-simplify the disclosure, andV to also clearly illustrate the interchangeability of the various parts, the same reference characters, with the subscript 41, willbe applied to the parts of the rear axle which correspond to, and which are interchangeable with, the parts of the front axle.

Referring to Figures l and 2, rear axle housing 21a, is disposed in the same relationship to the frame as the front axle, namely with the bowl portion 29a disposed to the same side of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, but in this instance carrier 25a is bolted to the front face 3io, of the housing, (the carrier being turned around in a horizontal plane without inversion) to dispose ring gear :lilav to the left of the centerline ofV propeller shaft 22, with the result that the latter, through universal joint 2ten and pinion 33a, will propel the vehicle forwardly when vpropeller shafts 22 and 23V are rotated in the direction indicated yby the arrows in Figures 1 and 2.

, In the rear axle cover 32a is bolted to rear bowl face 26a. The rear axle is provided with long and short axle shafts |8I and |82, which fit into the carrier assembly 25a in the same manner as the shafts of Figure l, but they are not interchangeable therewith for reasons that will hereinafter appear.

Each rear axle spring |2` is bolted to seat 38a by U-bolts or clips passing through openings 9a and Ela, the spring being centered over opening 42a to locate it closer to the outer end of the axle (as seen in Figure l0) than in the'front axle. There is no need to shim up the spring pads because the 2 30' inclination thereof deesv not result in a tilt of the axle suii'icient to adversely affect operation thereof.

Referring to Figures 8, 9 and 10, the rear wheel and hub assemblies are journalled in rear axle spindle |83 each of which is 'provided with a ange |84 secured to bolting face 53a' of the rear axle housing by stud andl nut assemblies'a and 51a in a manner similar to the front end assemblies there being no stop bracket under the nuts.

With particular reference to Figure 8, hub ||3a is journalled in bearings |4a and ||5a on the spindle in a manner similar to the hub of the front axle, except that it has been reversed endfor-end, so as to dispose its flange |4411 inwardly or to the right of the centerline lilla of the hub, the brake drum |53a and dual wheels |54a being secured in place on the flange in a manner similar to the corresponding elements of the front axle. The bearings ||4a and ||5a are also reversed in position with respect to flange ||4 of Figure 3. It is noted in Figure 2 that the centerline |85 of the dual wheel assembly is disposed directly in line with the centerline of the single wheel of the front axle, thus securing proper tracking of the wheels. This is achieved by reversing the hub and flange, as just discussed, and

also by giving spindle |83 the proper overall axial length with respect to bolting flange 53a of the center axle housing section. If it is desired to employ single rather than dual wheels on the rear axle the hubs may be installed without reversing them end-for-end with respect to the front axle hubs.

Since brake drum |5311 and wheels |54a cooperate with piloting surface |49a of the hub in exactly the same manner as in the front axle, they are fully interchangeable with the front axle wheels and brake drums. Inversion of the hub as just described of course makes it necessary to secure studs lila in openings |3la of the hub rather than openings |35a. Axle shaft |82 is provided with a flange |90 having openings matching those of cap |26 of the front axle assembly and is secured in place in the same manner by nuts |36a.

The brake foundation plate |59a is secured by means of rivets |81 to a ange |88 on thespindle, and since the brake mechanism is similar to and interchangeable with the corresponding front axle brake, similar reference characters have been applied thereto. Also secured under the heads of the rivets |81 is a modified member |89 for receiving lubricant thrown from slinger 42a and adapted to divert it from the interior of the brake drum in a manner similar to the corresponding element |53 of the front axle. A somewhat diiferent form of lubricant receiver is made necessary in the rear axle because of the somewhat greater axial spacing of the bolting ange from the end of hub |3a.

From the foregoing detailed disclosure of the invention it is apparent that front and rear drive axles of novel construction are provided embodying center sections which may be readily utilized to build up either front steer drive axles or rear non-steering drive axles by substitution of steering or non-steering end assemblies, and that by reason of the construction of the end assemblies, many of the parts of one end assembly are interchangeable with corresponding parts of the other, thereby materially reducing manufacturing costs and servicing difficulties, it only being necessary` to stock a minimum number of parts to service p either front or rear drive axles, and that aside from spindle |83; axle shaft |82, and member |89, all the elements of the rear axle are freely interchangeable with the corresponding elements of the front axle.

While I have illustrated the invention as being applied to a four wheel drive vehicle, it is to be understood that it is equally applicable to siX IWheel drive vehicles. For instance, a second rear axle, identical with the one illustrated, may be installed behind the one shown and be driven in any well known manner. Also, if desired, the center housing section of the second rear axle may be rotated through in a horizontal plane so as to offset the bowl to the other side of the vehicle centerline. Moreover, while bevel type gear carriers have been shown, it is to be understood that worm gear, double reduction or other gear carriers may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specic forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be. embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a drive axle, a spindle; a pair of spaced bearings on said spindle; a hub having a pair of seats equidistantly spaced from its ends receiving said bearings and an external bolting flange to which a wheel assembly is adapted to be secured, said flange being offset from the center of said hub and said hub having a wheel assembly piloting face at each side of said flange; a drive shaft rotatable in said spindle; means for coupling said shaft to said hub, comprising a ange abutting one end of said hub and secured thereto by means of a plurality of elements threaded in bores in'said hub end; said pilot faces of the hub being of the same diameter, and the other end of said hub having a set of threaded bores matching those of said one end, whereby said hub may be reversed end-for-end on said spindle to locate said bolting flange at the other side of the center of said hub.

2. The drive axle dened in claim 1, wherein said spindle is mounted for steering movements on a stationary housing, and said hub is journalled thereon with said bolting flange disposed outwardly of the center of said hub.

3. The drive axle defined in claim 1, wherein said spindle is rigidly secured to a stationary housing and said hub is journalled thereon with said bolting flange disposed inwardly of the center of said hub.

4. In a drive axle, a spindle, a hub journalled on spaced anti-friction bearings on said spindle, said hub extending inwardly of the inner of said bearings and having an inwardly facing annular wall; means cooperating with the latter and said spindle for sealing the space -between said hub and spindle; an inwardlydirected slinger seating in said annular wall to receive lubricant leaking past said seal; and a grease receiving member overlapping the periphery of said slinger, and adapted to receive lubricant thrown therefrom and conclut it away from said spindle.

5. For use in a drive axle, a hollow hub of generally cylindrical form terminating at its ends in bolting faces disposed normal to its axis; each hub end having a plurality of threaded bores opening onto the respective bolting faces, the axes of said bores being equidistant from the hub axis; an external wheel bolting flange disposed intermediate the ends of said hub; and a cylindrical wheel piloting surface on said hub at each side of said flange.

.6; The, axle hub, structure .defined jin: clanix, wherein said sub is provided Wit-ha pair 'of ini ternal bearing seats disposed equidistant from said Aloolting faces; and said vvlleel bolting v:flange is disposed closer to one bolting face than the other;

A'I'. In a -vfehicle drive, .a `Wheel supporting spindle, a rotatable drive' shaft therein, a wheel hub liaving wheel .assembly attaching means laterallyspaced from .a verticalplane bisecting the hub at right angles to its axis, meansv providing a reversible ,end-forfendrotatable mounting of' a piloting surface for the Wheel assemblyiat leaisli side of. s'aidfian'ge. V

`10. The vehicle =drive ldefined in claim "I in Which-said connecting meansgb'etween the wheel hub andidrive shaft includes acommon continent-v ingmemberifor both positions vof the hub on said spindle. y

1l. In 'a vehicle drive, a -fitont steering wheel supporting spindle-a rear rig-id Wheel supporting spindle, a rotatable drive shaft -in each of said spindles, said front fand rear spindles having wheel hubmountin'g'portions lof identical exter- 'nal configuration, front and rear Wheel 'carrying hubs, each of said hubs. having mea-ns providing an interchangeable, reversible `end=f`orfendrotatable mounting 'of 'the Wheelhubs 'on Vthe-rear and front wheel supporting spindles, respectively, and kmeans -for rigidly connecting each 'ofthe drivesliaftsto'one of the Wheel hubs.

12. The vehicle drive defined inv claim 1i, in which the mounting means foreach Wheel Ihub comprises anti-@friction bearings*interchangeably mounted in the opposite ends 'of the hub.

R. BUCKENDA-LE. 

